1.
Part III – Fish and timber – the cost of mismanagement
Africa’s renewable fishery resources and forests are a potential source of wealth and
opportunity. Governed wisely, they could support livelihoods, promote food security,
generate export earnings and support vital ecological systems. Instead, Africa’s forestry and
fishery resources are consolidating the power and personal fortunes of ruling elites, and
enriching foreign traders.
As with oil and minerals, Africa has been integrated into global trading activities
characterized by illegal and unethical practices. Governments have failed to develop
accountable and transparent institutions, to share resource wealth equitably, and to publish
the terms of mining and logging agreements – opening the door to corruption, opaque deals
and large revenue losses.
At the same time, international cooperation on stopping the plunder of resource assets has
been weak: countries have failed to coordinate legislative changes that would limit the
extensive opportunities available for illegal practices. And authorities in Africa often lack the
technological, financial and wider capabilities needed to manage forestry, fisheries and
other resources, and to prevent tax evasion.
This part of the report sets out an agenda for managing Africa’s fisheries and forests better,
including improving national and international monitoring and regulation, strengthening
transparency, establishing a global register of fishing vessels, enforcing fishing zones and
port measures, and improving international cooperation to stem illegal fishing and logging.
* * * * *
Chaired by Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Africa
Progress Panel (the Panel) includes distinguished individuals from the private and public
sectors, who advocate on global issues of importance to Africa and the world.
For further information, please contact
Edward Harris - edward.harris@africaprogresspanel.org
(m) +41 79 87 38 322 and (w) +41 22 919 7536
www.africaprogresspanel.org and www.facebook.com/africaprogresspanel
@africaprogress and #GrainFishMoney